A new community in Arkansas is getting a lot of attention and anger on social media. The private association behind it calls itself Return to the Land (RTTL). They say they want a place just for people with “European ancestry” who share traditional values. This town is located in the Ozark hills of Arkansas, and about 40 people already live there on 160 acres of land. The group has even said they want to expand into other states like Missouri.
Why People Are Upset
The idea of a “whites-only” town has caused major backlash. People on social media are calling the plan racist and a step backward to old segregation laws. Civil rights groups like the Anti-Defamation League are warning that this could break housing discrimination laws. Even the Arkansas Attorney General, Tim Griffin, is looking into what this group is doing. Many people believe this is a return to the days of Jim Crow and that it sends a dangerous message about race and equality.
Other Talk About “White Towns”
This Arkansas community is the most organized example of a whites-only place in recent years. Online, there are some other groups and individuals talking about starting similar towns to “preserve white culture.” Most of these are just conversations on the internet and haven’t turned into real communities yet. Currently there are:
- Arkansas Ozarks Community I, II, III (The Ozarks) founded in 2023 with 150 acres and is expanded
- Deep South Community I (covering LA-MS-AL-GA-FL-NC-SC) in initial planning process
- Appalachian Community I and II (Appalachian region–MS-AL-TN-GA-NC-SC-VA-KY-WV-OH-PA-MD-NY)
Harrison, Arkansas has a Racist Past
Harrison, Arkansas, a city nestled in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, carries a deeply troubled and well-documented history of racism. Years ago, it was known as a “sundown town,” a place where Black people were not welcome.
The 1905 riot was triggered by allegations of a Black man assaulting a white woman. A white mob responded by driving out many Black residents through intimidation and violence. The second, and more definitive, riot occurred in 1909, again sparked by a criminal accusation against a Black man. In the aftermath, the remaining Black families were forced to flee, their property often sold for a fraction of its value or outright stolen.
Harrison later became associated with the Ku Klux Klan. While the Klan’s presence has fluctuated over the years, the area has been home to prominent figures in the white supremacist movement. The national headquarters of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, led by Thom Robb, is located in the nearby town of Zinc, and a Harrison post office box has been used for the organization’s mail.
In the 2010s, there were big billboards in the town with messages like “Anti-Racist is a Code Word for Anti-White” and other hateful phrases. Some of these were tied to the KKK. In recent years, local leaders have tried to change the town’s image. A Community Task Force on Race Relations was started in 2003 to help, and some hateful signs have been removed. But the reputation still lingers.
What the Law Says
The United States has strong laws against housing discrimination. The main one is the Fair Housing Act, passed in 1968 during the Civil Rights Movement. This law makes it illegal to deny someone housing because of their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. That means a neighborhood, apartment complex, or community cannot legally say “only white people can live here.”
Even if a group tries to call it a private membership club, it usually doesn’t work if people live there or buy property. When housing is involved, the law still applies. In simple terms: if you sell or rent homes or land, you cannot make rules that exclude people based on race.
The U.S. Constitution also guarantees equal protection under the law, which means the government cannot allow racial segregation to happen openly. If the Return to the Land group is found to be breaking these rules, they could face lawsuits, fines, or even be shut down.
Why It Matters
A town that only allows white residents is more than just a private decision—it affects society. Critics say these communities encourage racism, keep people divided, and hurt efforts to build trust among different races. I, personally as a Black American woman, am curious to see how they will do. Everyone has a right to live where they feel comfortable. If only I could get 10 acres of land, move my family and good friends into land ownership, and live happily ever after. I remember a group in Georgia tried this and…
I do find it funny that this “private association” has the name “Return to the Land”, yet must have European descent…is the land you’re returning to in Europe? Because this land belonged to others before you. It doesn’t matter. Get you land, white man! So, if you are White and interested in preserving white culture, they have an interest meeting coming up.
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